New pain post discectomy what to do?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hello!

Completely new to this forum and wonder if anyone can help. 6 months ago I had emergency surgery for a very large L4/L5 disc herniation. I'd had horrid sciatica and back pain for 8 weeks and then developed sudden leg weakness and foot drop. I was eventually admitted through A&E and operated on the next day.

I made an amazing recovery, have had no need for pain medication since the op and my leg weakness had almost fully recovered.

I have unfortunately developed low back pain at the op site for a week now. I find I cannot stand up completely straight and walking or standing for longer periods is uncomfortable. Sitting or lying is fine. I have no major siatica but some mild symptoms, pins and needles and muscle twitches.

I am the type of person who tends to leave things until they are really bad before going to the GP, particuarly as I tend to find I can tolerate pain quite well. This did me no favours however with the herniated disc and I ended up boarder line cauda equina syndrome. 

Ordinarly I know they say give it 6 weeks for back pain to resolve but I wonder if this is still the case already having had surgery? I was signed off by the consultant so also guess I need to go back to the GP if I need to get advice. Just wondering if anyone knows how long I should give my symptoms to try and resolve themselves or if I should get medical advice sooner. I am also going out of the country for a week soon (long haul) and I am a little worried if things worsen whilst I am away.

Any similar experiences or thoughts welcomed.

Thanks!

2

Hello! Although I have no experience with your exact situation, I have had a 4 level lumbar fusion. If I were in your place, I would call the GP at your earliest opportunity. It would not hurt to get their professional opinion. I learned this the hard way. Just my humble opinion. I wish you the best!

3

Hello Dawniesback,

Thanks for your reply. I think you are right and I have emailed the consultant's secretary as he did tell me to get in touch if I had any problems even after being signed off. Her out of office says she is not in until next Tuesday but I am not in agony so will monitor it until then.

Thanks.

4

Hello Ruth. What did you find out? I had L5/S1 lamenectomy one year ago and doing great. Recently started getting a few zaps and pings and hoping I just overdid it a bit and it will settle back down. Have an appointment in a couple of weeks so taking it very cautiously.

Thanks.

5

Hello Circe60,

My issues are ongoing and being investigated. Everything got a little worse, pain increased but not really bad, but have neurological symptoms in both legs and saddle area. Have had an MRI done and disc is bulging very centrally again. I have appointment with consultant next week to speak about the results and symptoms and have been told to go to A&E if things get worse.

Hope your symptoms clear up.

6

Thanks Ruth. I hope your pain does not get worse and starts to ease up. I will post back after my appointment in a couple of. weeks. I am definitely not messing around with this as have no wish to repeat!